Good call. Massive cluster. I am in TN. No shortage here of huge pretentious residential structures that want to suggest Ante-Bellum glory but actually are Potemkin! Most way out in the county on 30-100 acres and look completely out of context. With a horse barn of course. Lol.
I recently discovered this video about gang-nail plate which explains the rise of the McMansion and is almost certainly a factor in the construction of this silly edifice. This genius invention allowed the relatively cheap and easy creation of these complex roofs. This also means that there's no more attic space, so all those windows that breach the roof line probably don't allow light to directly shine into any of the rooms below -- or into space above.
The gang-nail plate was originally intended to make roofs stronger and less prone to hurricane damage, but consistent with the law of unintended consequences, they've also allowed builders to readily create cartoon versions of classic architectural styles.
Found comment @ YouTube video you posted, more unintended consequences 🤡🌎
@Howard-Kevin
3 weeks ago
An unfortunate downside to gang nail plates is their contribution to sudden roof collapse in fire situations, making it more dangerous for firefighters to attempt on-the-roof operations. The large surface area of the plate conducts heat into the wood joint area, encouraging it to burn first and fail faster than one fastened with nails. 🔥🔥🏠🔥🔥
yeah, I saw that comment too. I wonder about over wall roof integrity instead of using brackets to hold the beams,. Either case, fire is always a disaster
This all brought to mind a lesson in roof construction that a home flipper (for lack of a better term) friend of mine taught me about twenty years back. We were looking at the roof of my 70's era house built with the same inferior toe nailing construction shown in the video, and he showed me the effects of the roof spreading that inevitably occurred. All the drywall ceilings would inevitably crack and need to be repaired and I had no idea why. His solution then was aftermarket steel brackets bolted to the center joists to bolster the joints and prevent spreading, a precursor of sorts to the gang nail plates. Of course the interior walls still had to support all that extra weight, and there really was no solution for the cracks that would induce, especially given the negative effects of evaporative (swamp) coolers, which were used in most homes of that era. Very illuminating.
A friend from Florida sent me years ago an article about constructing rounded buildings and roofs with rounded edges to prevent hurricane damage but i have yet to see any being built. Have you heard of this?
Although that portico on the left would probably hold a ride or two if not for the damn shrub planters in the way. Nothing a front end loader couldn't fix.
"Do you think the windows inside the chimneys are false?"
I was so gob-smacked by all the other atrocities in this house that I didn't notice it, good catch and GREAT question! And thank you for the laughs, that is just too funny!
@Janet, James Howard Kunstler interviewed Kate Wagner of "Welcome to McMansion Hell" on his podcast in 2016. You can listen to that episode (or read the transcript) here:
KunstlerCast 284 — Kate Wagner, Welcome to MacMansion Hell
It's the architectural equivalent to a steroid boosted bodybuilder. Way too much of otherwise good things. Apparently the phrase, "less is more" was not among the builder's lexicon.
There is a cool blog “McMansion Hell”. She is an architectural history expert and she rips these places apart with style and hilarious humor. Check it out. .
I liked your casts with Jim when you went outside and once to a mall for example. The banter was fun/cute-as-buttons, as was hearing some of the people and ambient sounds.
Are you still part of that people-with-orange-hair group?
Good call. Massive cluster. I am in TN. No shortage here of huge pretentious residential structures that want to suggest Ante-Bellum glory but actually are Potemkin! Most way out in the county on 30-100 acres and look completely out of context. With a horse barn of course. Lol.
01/08/25: Good. When the first barn falls down, they move into the second.
A few years ago driving around the NC countryside…why don’t people maintain their barns?? Maybe paint them every now and then??
Well near as I can tell the antique value of old barn siding wood is higher than paint.
I recently discovered this video about gang-nail plate which explains the rise of the McMansion and is almost certainly a factor in the construction of this silly edifice. This genius invention allowed the relatively cheap and easy creation of these complex roofs. This also means that there's no more attic space, so all those windows that breach the roof line probably don't allow light to directly shine into any of the rooms below -- or into space above.
The gang-nail plate was originally intended to make roofs stronger and less prone to hurricane damage, but consistent with the law of unintended consequences, they've also allowed builders to readily create cartoon versions of classic architectural styles.
https://youtu.be/3oIeLGkSCMA?si=g1QIHjOCSy58nGvW
Found comment @ YouTube video you posted, more unintended consequences 🤡🌎
@Howard-Kevin
3 weeks ago
An unfortunate downside to gang nail plates is their contribution to sudden roof collapse in fire situations, making it more dangerous for firefighters to attempt on-the-roof operations. The large surface area of the plate conducts heat into the wood joint area, encouraging it to burn first and fail faster than one fastened with nails. 🔥🔥🏠🔥🔥
yeah, I saw that comment too. I wonder about over wall roof integrity instead of using brackets to hold the beams,. Either case, fire is always a disaster
This all brought to mind a lesson in roof construction that a home flipper (for lack of a better term) friend of mine taught me about twenty years back. We were looking at the roof of my 70's era house built with the same inferior toe nailing construction shown in the video, and he showed me the effects of the roof spreading that inevitably occurred. All the drywall ceilings would inevitably crack and need to be repaired and I had no idea why. His solution then was aftermarket steel brackets bolted to the center joists to bolster the joints and prevent spreading, a precursor of sorts to the gang nail plates. Of course the interior walls still had to support all that extra weight, and there really was no solution for the cracks that would induce, especially given the negative effects of evaporative (swamp) coolers, which were used in most homes of that era. Very illuminating.
I saw that video... but thanks!
Amazing video!
A friend from Florida sent me years ago an article about constructing rounded buildings and roofs with rounded edges to prevent hurricane damage but i have yet to see any being built. Have you heard of this?
Spectacular. Bulldoze it for a doublewide.
lolololol
Or just hollow out a living space in the rubble.
Also not the overgrown lawn and weeds in the landscaping. I guess nobody really thought to cut the grass before staging this photo.
**note
Yes! I noticed that immediately too.
Takes "Habitat for Humanity" to a whole other level.
Not a carport to be seen anywhere, though. Better get on that, lo' t!
Although that portico on the left would probably hold a ride or two if not for the damn shrub planters in the way. Nothing a front end loader couldn't fix.
Some dope dealer thinks it's classy.
It just goes to show the old adage is true. Some people have more money than brains.
hey! that's my new summer home.
opening an air bnb 😂🥳
the extra $600 if for the fancy faucet in the uhhh maids quarters, you should see the others
The first thing I noticed is the second story is so much taller than the first. Maybe that’s the main living area?
Do you think the windows inside the chimneys are false?
I wish we could go inside.
"Do you think the windows inside the chimneys are false?"
I was so gob-smacked by all the other atrocities in this house that I didn't notice it, good catch and GREAT question! And thank you for the laughs, that is just too funny!
I really want to see interior pics! I search Trulia several ways and couldn’t locate it. I’ll bet the inside is a hot mess too.
Blog “McMansion Hell” does the insides of these horrible craven wonders. Hilarious commentary. They are truly a hot mess throughout. Check it out.
@Janet, James Howard Kunstler interviewed Kate Wagner of "Welcome to McMansion Hell" on his podcast in 2016. You can listen to that episode (or read the transcript) here:
KunstlerCast 284 — Kate Wagner, Welcome to MacMansion Hell
https://www.kunstler.com/p/kunstlercast-284-d97
drop the image into google image search. Easily found
It's the architectural equivalent to a steroid boosted bodybuilder. Way too much of otherwise good things. Apparently the phrase, "less is more" was not among the builder's lexicon.
Shoot the architect.
Also looks like a lot of flat roof on the lower levels--just great for a New England snowy winter!
It's the latest design from AI, the Georgian Palazzo.
Sometimes one should just drive by... thanks for some entertainment. I'm kinda new to this.
There is a cool blog “McMansion Hell”. She is an architectural history expert and she rips these places apart with style and hilarious humor. Check it out. .
KunstlerCast 284 — Kate Wagner, Welcome to MacMansion Hell
https://www.kunstler.com/p/kunstlercast-284-d97
Oh hey, its Duncan! Hi Dunc'!
I liked your casts with Jim when you went outside and once to a mall for example. The banter was fun/cute-as-buttons, as was hearing some of the people and ambient sounds.
Are you still part of that people-with-orange-hair group?